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Nutrient Intake among Children with Autism
Author(s) -
Moore Erin,
Crook Tina,
James Jill,
Gonzales Dana,
Hakkak Reza
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.811.16
Subject(s) - micronutrient , multivitamin , autism , medicine , nutrient , calorie , dietary reference intake , food frequency questionnaire , vitamin , environmental health , biology , psychiatry , ecology , pathology
Questions remain about potential nutrition deficits associated with autism. The purpose of this study was to determine if children with autistic disorder have adequate nutrient intake and if multivitamin use (MVIU) impacts intake. Participants (n=54) in the Autism IMAGE ( I ntegrated M etabolic and G enomic E ndeavor) Study at a local children's hospital completed Block Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ) for children ages 2 to 7. FFQ results were compared to Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) and Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR). Mean intakes for % kcals from carbohydrate, protein and fat were within AMDR at 55% (SD=7), 14% (SD=3) and 33% (SD=5), respectively. However, intakes were below DRI for calcium (75% DRI ±45) and vitamins E (77% DRI ±26) and D (25% DRI ±19). A significant, positive relationship was found between MVIU and carbohydrate (p<.05); however, no significant relationships were found between MVIU and calcium, vitamins E or D, calories, protein or fat. Our results show that diets of children with autism are lacking in some micronutrients while macronutrient intake falls within recommended ranges. Supported by 1 Dept of Dietetics & Nutrition and 2 LEND to JJ